About us

We are Australia’s lead management agency, an entrusted regulator for the Great Barrier Reef, providing world-leading marine park management since 1975. 

The Marine Park Authority Board (referred to as the Authority Board) oversees the Reef Authority. The organisation reports to the Minister for the Environment. 

Advisory committees, comprising of a range of stakeholders advise the Reef Authority on actions that can be taken to address the risks to the Great Barrier Reef.

Our work is guided by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 2019 and our Corporate Plan.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's annual reports highlight the agency’s work and achievements over the reporting period.

The Corporate Plan 2024–25 sets our strategic direction for the agency for the next four years, it forms the planning and performance framework for the Reef Authority.

The Reef Authority works with a range of partners to for the protection and management of the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority consults the public on a range of matters, including draft policies, permit applications and proposed developments.

Our work to protect the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is guided by a range of plans, regulations and legislation. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 is the primary Act.

The Reef Authority, the Australian Hydrographic Office and the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage have a process for naming reefs.

We custodians of spatial data relevant to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 and maintain an extensive collection of reef and marine park spatial data.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water was established on 1 July 2022 and leads Australia's response to the environment.

The Policy and Planning Strategic Roadmap has been developed to focus the Authority’s efforts to deliver a proactive, contemporary and risk-based approach to Marine Park policy, planning and regulation.

The Reef Authority will implement new pollution prevention practices, waste minimisation measures, and incorporate more efficient use of resources.